Sagbo and Assou-Ekotto given time

09 April 2014 04:17

Hull striker Yannick Sagbo and QPR loanee Benoit Assou-Ekotto have been granted more time to respond to charges relating to the quenelle gesture, Press Association Sport understands.

Both players were charged with improper conduct by the Football Association last week following social media posts referring to the quenelle and were given until April 8 to respond.

It is understood the pair both asked for extensions to this period and that has been granted. The matter will now be dealt with in due course in conjunction with the FA's governance division.

The quenelle, an arm gesture widely considered to be offensive and anti-Semitic, came to prominence in the UK after it was performed by Nicolas Anelka while celebrating a goal for West Brom in December.

Anelka was subsequently banned for five matches after a charge brought by the FA was considered by an independent regulatory commission, before he was sacked by West Brom last month.

Assou-Ekotto, on a season-long loan at QPR from Tottenham, became involved after tweeting in response to Anelka's salute a message that translated as "I congratulate you on the beautiful quenelle".

Sagbo also took to the social media network after the incident, posting a picture of Anelka's celebration with a message of support for the striker and comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, who has popularised the gesture.